Abstract
Starting as a new attending physician right after fellowship or even moving to a different institution can be daunting. On top of this, having to develop a new program can certainly feel terrifying. I am glad that I had the opportunity to do this at the University of Virginia and to share what seemed to be helpful to me to succeed.
Things to consider before you sign your contract
Selecting a nurturing, collaborative, and non-malignant program is vital to succeed in your endeavors. In such institutions, you are more likely to find clinical and research collaborators to help you succeed in your efforts. Always gauge the interest of leadership in vascular disease before selecting an institution. Having chiefs of cardiovascular medicine, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology who are supportive of vascular medicine and understand its importance is critical for your academic growth and development. Additionally, make sure you are financially supported and have protected time for the development of the program.
Be available and don’t complain
These, in my book, are the most important factors to succeed. Being available to see patients or provide guidance to other healthcare professionals helps to develop your presence while developing a positive approach to your program. Everyone likes a polite and helpful consultant!
Develop multidisciplinary programs
Currently healthcare systems promote care through service lines, and multidisciplinary programs are a key component of them. A vascular medicine specialist can be involved or lead in programs such as a pulmonary embolism response team (PERT), critical limb ischemia team, multidisciplinary coagulation service, and many more. Developing such programs can help to build and promote the program throughout the healthcare system. Additionally, collaborating with your colleagues in developing programs that lower mortality in vascular patients (medical management for patients with peripheral artery disease, PERT), lower cost (algorithms for outpatient management of low-risk pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis), or increase awareness of vascular disease can be very helpful.
Support committees
It is helpful to serve on committees within the institution to develop awareness of vascular medicine among the leadership. This additionally helps develop supporters from among the committees that you may someday call upon to approve or support your programs.
Education is another important aspect of an academic program
Give as many grand rounds, noon conferences, and morning reports as possible. This not only helps generate awareness of your unique expertise but also develops interest in vascular medicine among medical trainees. Teach medical trainees and offer rotations in vascular medicine. Eventually, the goal should be to develop a vascular medicine fellowship program.
A robust research program is an important aspect of an academic vascular medicine program
Supporting national registries, such as the PERT Registry, the US Registry for Fibromuscular Dysplasia, the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI), and others, is helpful. Apply for grants to conduct investigator-initiated studies, be a part of clinical trials as a site investigator, and promote and support medical trainees’ research projects.
Engage with SVM
The Society of Vascular Medicine (SVM) is a great resource and support in helping us succeed as vascular clinicians. I have found members encouraging and supportive. I was lucky to be trained by physician leaders such as Drs Heather Gornik and John (Jerry) Bartholomew who continued to guide and advise me in my career decisions even years after completing my fellowship. As a member of the Society, I often found other physicians who I had never worked or trained with but were always willing to provide guidance based on their experience and knowledge. Additionally, the Society often has lectures on how to develop programs during the annual SVM Scientific Sessions, which have been incredibly helpful. Lastly, always be positive. It is very likely you will experience multiple failures; however, keep trying and success will happen.
Save the date: 30th Annual SVM Scientific Sessions in McLean, VA
Mark your calendars for the 2019 Annual Scientific Sessions as we commemorate 30 years of SVM. The premier educational event in vascular and endovascular medicine began in 1989, and we will celebrate its pearl anniversary with an exciting program. All sessions will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, in downtown McLean, VA, a few miles west of Washington, DC.
The Annual Scientific Sessions will commence on Wednesday, May 29 and feature three days of programming through June 1, including a variety of expert speakers, how-to workshops, abstract presentations, award ceremonies, and plenty of networking opportunities with colleagues and friends. SVM in Vascular Lab sessions during the annual meeting will provide intensive opportunities for education and vascular lab-specific CME for attendees. These sessions will be of particular interest to vascular medicine specialists, vascular surgeons, vascular technologists and sonographers, radiologists, and cardiologists who practice cardiovascular ultrasound, as well as vascular trainees in vascular and imaging specialties.
Important deadline: Friday, January 11, 2019
Abstract submissions
Jay D Young Investigator Award submissions
Cases Over Cocktails submissions
Alan T Hirsch Travel Grant applications
